India donates $200,000 for riot-hit in Myanmar’s Rakhine state

[LaBong]

NEW DELHI: India has finally reacted to the violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state by handing over $ 200,000 to the state administration for the riot-affected people. Government sources here said that the money, which was handed over to Rakhine chief minister U Hla Maung Tin by Indian ambassador V Seshadri, is meant for both refugees from both the communities - the majority Rakhine Buddhists and minority Rohingya Muslims.

While New Delhi has remained tight-lipped about the failure of not just Myanmar government but also the opposition led by Aung San Suu Kyi to come to the rescue of Rohingyas, a protest by the Muslims last month in Mumbai had claimed two lives.

"India hopes that the assistance will help in bringing quicker relief and in contributing towards peace and harmony," said Seshadri.

The money was handed over to the representatives of the two communities at a function in capital Sittwe attended by several government officials. "We have to build 800 semi permanent buildings for the victims, and for that, we need to purchase roofing sheets, and this aid from India will be of great help,'' Myanmar's minister for border affairs Thein Htay was quoted by news agencies.

"First, we get the sympathy (from India), second the physical help, and so, we feel this reflects good neighborly ties," he added. India has seen a steady influx of Rohingya Muslims, who are believed to have been targeted by the majority Buddhists, in the past few years. While officially there may not still be more than 8,000 Rohingyas in India, BJP leaders in the north-east have already started to aggressively raise the issue.

Apart from competing for influence with China and several Western nations in energy-rich Myanmar, yet a fledgling democracy, India has found its hands tied also because of the insurgency in the north-east bordering Myanmar. In what was the first visit by an Indian PM to Myanmar in 25 years, PM Manmohan Singh travelled to Naypyidaw in May.

One of the highlights of the visit, in fact, was how President Thein Sein went out of his way to assure Singh that Myanmar will not allow its territory to be used against India by any insurgent group.

India donates $200,000 for riot-hit in Myanmar’s Rakhine state - The Times of India

 

[RISING SUN]

Good approach by Indian government. We can only become facilitator for their overall development. They have to discharge their duties by themselves. all relevant parties should make joint forum for redevelopment of those areas destroyed in riots.

 

[LaBong]

India should also offer some moolah to BD govt so that they let those dying Rohingyas to come in.

 

[sajan]

Why should Indian gov gives so much money to other countries when our own people are suffering a lot. Why cant the gov spend atleast 1/3rd of this money for our own Bodo citizens who are having the same situation like the Rohingyas in Myanmar.
Congress is doing this for Minority appeasement and vote bank politics. This policy is gonna kill this country soon

 

[Contrarian]

Things like this need to be done to keep neighbours happy and earn goodwill. There's no escaping it. Its a good humanitarian gesture.

Wonder what the Pakistani's and Bangladeshi's are doing to help the Rohingya's. After all they were the ones crying hoarse about the issue.

 

[notsuperstitious]

Why the money, we could have simply made some morphed pictures and vivid propaganda for the simple minded and saved the money.

 

[KS]

Why should Indian gov gives so much money to other countries when our own people are suffering a lot. Why cant the gov spend atleast 1/3rd of this money for our own Bodo citizens who are having the same situation like the Rohingyas in Myanmar.

Consider this a bribe for close relations with Myanmar.

Congress is doing this for Minority appeasement and vote bank politics. This policy is gonna kill this country soon

The amount is meant for both communities and not for Muslims alone.

Wonder what the Pakistani's and Bangladeshi's are doing to help the Rohingya's. After all they were the ones crying hoarse about the issue.

Spending precious 2G bandwidth or fiber optic bandwidth posting morphed pictures on online fora.

 

[KRAIT]

Call it a bribe or anything. Sometimes you have to invest money or give aid to some countries for our nation's self interest. China has trillions of dollars in reserve and India has to invest in its neighboring countries. Whether the money goes to public of Myanmar or ruler party's pockets, as long as they are Pro-Indian, our job is done.

These measures are taken to ensure security of our present and future generation. The way we curse our previous generation for not introducing economic reforms earlier, failure in making strategic moves, same will happen to us.

So there is more than what meets the eyes.